Work

Children and adolescents as news sources: research brief on voice and agency of minors in Swedish and Estonian journalistic regulative documents

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: This research briefly analyses Swedish and Estonian laws, journalistic codes of ethics, and newsroom guidelines that set the foundation for minors (not) being interviewed as news sources. Textual analysis of such documents shows that regardless of minors’ right to free expression, minors are mostly addressed only in victims’ roles, prioritizing protection over representation. Focus on guardian consent of under 18s is justified as protection, which also helps protect the newsroom from adverse reactions. We argue that the regulative basis of journalism reinforces the exclusion of minors from news coverage and prevents them from participating in public discussions. Therefore, the documents need updating from contemporary childhood sociology perspectives according to which minors are considered a resourceful group and distinguished into several age groups and roles, thus can be empowered to be included in news media.

Source: Journal of Children and Media

DOI: 10.1080/17482798.2022.2127818

Authors: Marju Himma-Kadakas, Carina Tenor

Institution: Karlstad University

Language: English

Topic: Children's Rights and Participation

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Anne-Marie och Gustaf Anders Stiftelse för Mediaforskning